By Zephyria 
Two days later, I used the morning training hours to gauge the skills of all the Knights staying at the Ernhardt Baronetcy.
It was fortunate that I had repeatedly reviewed the use of aura in this land several times during the semester.
Now that I could mimic or observe the shape of aura to some extent, I could assess the Knights’ swordplay in Shierun’s style.
On sunny afternoons, we also engaged in sparring.
With Mother and Father seated in the place of honor, I faced the Knights. As the Knights, who were between First-rate and Peak in skill, stepped onto the martial arts training ground one by one, thunderous applause erupted.
Occasionally, I would disarm those who tried to lose to me and lecture them. The laughter of the servants and maids who had gathered to watch was boisterous.
I ate meals with my family, sharing trivial conversations.
In the afternoon, I stood like a scarecrow for a long time to have clothes made for the trip.
Measuring my body’s dimensions was still unfamiliar, but the news that I had grown a few inches since the last time I was measured before entering the Academy was a comfort.
The travel destination was decided to be a villa belonging to the Count Servel Family, whose grounds I had been familiar with since I was five years old.
They said it was a very beautiful place, situated right beside a large lake.
The Count Servel Family had sent letters every year suggesting that the children of both families spend their holidays together, but I only learned now, belatedly, that my constant refusals had prevented them from visiting.
The Count Servel Family held lands adjacent to the Ernhardt Baronetcy.
They were known for their excellent timber and animal hides, using the vast forests as their base to raise trees and beasts.
The Ernhardt Baronetcy cultivated grains and fruits, making them good companions who could supplement each other’s needs.
The Count Servel Family had three children. The eldest was Logan, whose name I knew well.
I remembered him as a perceptive boy who used to call out the names of every boy and girl he made eye contact with, or whisper them into my ear, for my sake when I was young and couldn’t remember names well.
Logan Servel was about five or six years older than my current body…
I vaguely recalled that one of his younger brothers was older than me, and one was younger, but I wasn’t sure. I only knew that the younger one was not of an age to attend the Academy with me.
If there were any descendants of the Count Servel Family currently at Shierun Academy, Shayden would surely be close to them, so I regretted not asking him beforehand.
“So, we will meet people from the Count Servel Family at our travel destination?”
“Of course. You’ll be staying for a month, so wouldn’t it be more comfortable to stay at a place with hosts?”
“…Hmm.”
“It will be very fun to learn how to hunt and enjoy boat rides with the Young Master and Young Ladies of the Servel family. Of course, we will ensure there is plenty of time for our own family, so don’t worry.”
“Then will Evan brother come too?”
“Evan brother?”
“You mean the third son of the Servel family. Of course, he will come, right?”
“Wow, I’m so excited!”
Asdel, who was sitting next to Michael, also stomped his feet in excitement.
The third son of the Servel family was born when I was five. Come to think of it, he was about the same age as Michael and Asdel.
I blinked in surprise for a moment, unable to imagine companions for children I didn’t know.
Although I had a desire to spend quality time with my blood relatives, I quickly shook off the momentary disappointment.
This was not a trip of just three or four days, but a long journey that took up half of the vacation period.
Furthermore, I felt it was not proper conduct to be reluctant when I knew Logan Servel had put so much effort into helping me every year.
I nodded in agreement.
We decided to leave as soon as the luggage was packed.
It was said to take three days by carriage from the current estate to the resort, so time would be tight even if we left immediately.
When I asked if there was anything I could do to help, I was told to simply try not to get too tired during training with the Knights, which made me laugh.
❖ ❖ ❖
Traveling by carriage was a very common practice in Shierun. At Shierun Academy, they even called for carriages to go to nearby markets.
I didn’t know if it was because the roads were well-paved, or because my young age made traveling long distances on foot unsettling to onlookers.
Naturally, there was no time for separate training during the journey.
When I returned home from Shierun Academy, I would spar with Shayden occasionally to stretch my stiff body, so I didn’t feel this restless.
Since Light Footwork training required running long distances, I voiced my desire to run alongside the carriage on this opportunity, but Father and Mother vehemently opposed it, so I gave up.
Setting aside whether I could run at the same speed as a horse, their words that this was a family trip and they wanted to spend time together in the same space were unanswerable.
And so, I sat comfortably in the carriage now, with plush cushions laid out.
Listening to the clatter of horse hooves through the open window, with two young children on either side of me, I made conversation with Father and Mother, who sat opposite me.
It was like being an Immortal.
My hands were restless, so I kept picking up and putting down Michael and Asdel, who were sitting quietly, with both hands. This was to build strength in my arms. Father shook his head, finding me treating the children like weights.
The children, delighted, giggled, which pleased me.
“Our eldest doesn’t know how to enjoy the charm of carriage travel.”
“Mother, did you usually enjoy carriage travel?”
“Me? I… actually didn’t have many occasions to go far from home… Even when I did go somewhere, I was always excited, looking out the carriage window and contemplating various things.”
“What about Father?”
“…I didn’t get motion sickness… Usually, when I traveled long distances, it was for business, so I would set up an office inside the carriage and organize documents.”
“Hmm…”
“No, this time I’m done with work, so it’s fine. Really.”
I don’t know what look I gave my father, but he flustered and became anxious, so I just smiled.
My father, realizing I was teasing, gave an awkward cough. Seeing this, Mother let out a peal of laughter and patted Father’s shoulder.
“How much did he work that our child worries like this?”
“…Actually, is Michael like me? The way he trains his swordsmanship…”
“Oh my. But Michael’s gentle side is definitely like me.”
My parents had been constantly discussing lately which of them I resembled more in terms of personality.
Like all mothers and fathers in the world, William and Sierren would fuss over how I inherited my mother’s hair and eye color but my father’s eye shape, or my mother’s fingernail and toenail shape.
The constant debate about appearance had now shifted to personality and character.
My disposition had been consistent from the Central Plains, with no significant changes, but I didn’t stop them, as they whispered and made happy sounds.
Interjecting with “That’s right” and nodding was a good way to fulfill my filial duty.
“What about me? Who do I resemble?”
“Our Asdel completely resembles Mother~! He has such beautiful pink cloud-like hair! And his smiling face is just like Mother’s. Yet, his eye color resembles Father’s, so looking at him makes one feel warm.”
“Me too! Do me too!”
“Michael resembles Father. His fine black hair, his love for books, and the way he always sleeps on his side.”
“I sleep on my side?”
“Yes, you do.”
Father tilted his head with a look of utter surprise, then, as if realizing something, his face broke into a broad smile.
It was said that the affectionate couple in Shierun shared a bedroom. There was no way Father would sleep with his back turned to Mother. Seeing them subtly reveal their deep and profound love for each other made me smile briefly as well.
Michael sleeping on his side, I pondered, and indeed, it was true.
Perhaps it was because I used to sleep with him clinging to me since he was little. Now that he was older and spent more nights sleeping alone, I worried that he would feel stiff the next day if he slept at an angle.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable to sleep on your side?”
“No, I didn’t know. How did Mother know? That I sleep on my side.”
“Because I love my son very much, of course I know?”
Mother, who had been teasing the child, confessed that she would open his door and check on him every night after everyone had fallen asleep.
The child regretted not being able to fuss over his mother when he was awake, and I was delighted, imagining Father and Mother checking on their sleeping children side by side.
The deeper and warmer their affection, the more peaceful the family would be.
As we had to sit facing each other and let time pass, all sorts of stories came out.
Listening to my parents’ stories about their travels, I understood why they had wanted to travel so much.
Both my parents had not traveled much before becoming adults due to family business and strict elders, and after marrying early, I was born immediately, and they were confined to the Baronetcy caring for me.
I felt a sudden pang of guilt. I suggested we have a family trip together this winter break. The entire family applauded and cheered. I felt quite sheepish.
Asdel spoke about a large beast he saw in his dream last night.
He told the story so vividly that everyone listened intently. Then, Michael spoke about a nightmare he had and shed tears, receiving comfort from his family.
While this was going on, a Knight on horseback leaned his head close through the open carriage window.
Sir Ventus, who would be escorting us on this trip, announced that he had found a flat spot suitable for a break and meal. Father nodded without hesitation, and the carriage soon stopped.